Cord Byrd: “I do not understand how any Member of this body could sleep if we fail to take this critical step for the protection of…”

“I do not understand how any Member of this body could sleep if we fail to take this critical step for the protection of the people who sent us here. Have we become so cynical that we cannot even do that? Are we so insensitive that we would rather embrace the cold illogic of budget deals than face our duty to ease the palpable fear in this Nation? I hope not. For if that is so, we have failed this Nation at its most critical hour. That is not the Senate I know. That is not the Senate to which I have given most of my life. Once again, I ask Senators to turn away from the sterile illogic of this misguided point of order and come together to protect our homeland and our people. I thank all Senators. And I thank Mr. Stevens in particular. I thank him. Exhibit No. 1 Appropriations Committee Tradition for Responding to Natural Disasters FY 1989-2001 The Senate Appropriations Committee has a long, bi-partisan tradition for responding to natural and man made disasters. Why Members are now resisting using the emergency authority for homeland defense and to fulfill the $20 billion commitment to New York boggles the mind.”